The Federal Government on Monday summoned the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington, over President Donald Trump’s alleged derogatory comment about Africa.
Trump was widely quoted in media report as referring to Africa nations as “shithole countries.”
However, the U.S President has denied making such comment.
Nigeria viewed the alleged statement as hurtful and offensive if truly it came from Trump.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in a closed- door meeting with the U.S ambassador sought clarification on the remark.
Symington, who was out of the country, was represented by the Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S Embassy in Abuja, Amb. David Young.
According to a statement signed by the ministry’s Spokesperson, Dr. Tope Ade Elias-Fatile, the U.S Deputy Chief of Mission said his country continue to hold Nigeria in very high regards.
Young also pointed out that there were several contradicting accounts by those present on Trump’s remark.
The statement reads: “The Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama, today (Monday) summoned the U.S ambassador to Nigeria to clarify issues regarding the remarks credited to the U.S President, Donald Trump, in which he was widely quoted in media report as referring to Africa countries as ‘shithole countries’ and which he denied.
“The U.S ambassador, who was out of Nigeria, was represented by Amb. David Young, the Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the United States of America in Abuja.
“The Minister sought clarification on the veracity or otherwise of the substance of the remarks, stressing that if they were true, they were deeply hurtful and offensive and unacceptable, especially given the very warm and cordial relations that presently exist between the Nigeria government and the government of the United States of America.”
